Nawaz Sharif to meet Imran Khan as protesters threaten to storm PM House

Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday decided to meet Opposition leader Imran Khan in an effort to end the anti-government protests here seeking his ouster, as Pakistan's powerful military called for calm and asked all stakeholders to resolve the impasse through meaningful talks.

"It has been decided PM (Sharif) will meet Imran Khan for the sake of country," Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, a close aide of Prime Minister Sharif, tweeted.

Rafique did not give the time for meeting. It is hoped that Sharif will offer Khan a full audit of ballots to address his concerns about rigging in last year's poll which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party lost.

In the polls, Sharif's PML-N had won 190 out of 342 seats. Khan's PTI got 34 seats, the third largest bloc in the legislature.

Sharif's decision came after Khan threatened to storm the Prime Minister House if he refuses to step down by today.

"If Nawaz Sharif does not resign then we will enter into the PM House," Khan said while addressing thousands of anti-government protesters who entered the heavily fortified 'Red Zone' and set up camp in front of the Parliament House.

Meanwhile, the military called for calm after protesters breached the Red Zone that houses important government buildings including the Parliament House, Prime Minister House, President House, the Supreme Court besides embassies.

"Situation requires patience, wisdom and sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest," military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted.

He said the buildings in the red Zone are symbol of state and being protected by army, so the sanctity of these national symbols must be respected.

Earlier, the rallies led by Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf marched into the Red Zone and set up camp in front of the Parliament House.

The protesters had reached the Constitution Avenue as the government decided to withdraw security forces.

"PM just told me he has ordered the police not to use any kind of force against the protesters as women & children are in the front rows," Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted late on Tuesday night.

Inter-Services Public Relations spokesperson Asim Bajwa tweeted, "Bldgs in red Zone r symbol of State & being protected by Army, therefore sanctity of these national symbols must be respected."

"Situation requires patience, wisdom & sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest," he said.

Pakistan Army has also taken charge of the Interior Ministry's control room, a media outlet reported.

The protesters of Khan and Qadri started separately but later moved towards the Parliament together.

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid told a news channel that the marchers have violated written commitment that they will not enter the Red Zone.

Nawaz Sharif to meet Imran Khan as protesters threaten to storm PM House

Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday decided to meet Opposition leader Imran Khan in an effort to end the anti-government protests here seeking his ouster, as Pakistan's powerful military called for calm and asked all stakeholders to resolve the impasse through meaningful talks.

"It has been decided PM (Sharif) will meet Imran Khan for the sake of country," Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, a close aide of Prime Minister Sharif, tweeted.

Rafique did not give the time for meeting. It is hoped that Sharif will offer Khan a full audit of ballots to address his concerns about rigging in last year's poll which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party lost.

In the polls, Sharif's PML-N had won 190 out of 342 seats. Khan's PTI got 34 seats, the third largest bloc in the legislature.

Sharif's decision came after Khan threatened to storm the Prime Minister House if he refuses to step down by today.

"If Nawaz Sharif does not resign then we will enter into the PM House," Khan said while addressing thousands of anti-government protesters who entered the heavily fortified 'Red Zone' and set up camp in front of the Parliament House.

Meanwhile, the military called for calm after protesters breached the Red Zone that houses important government buildings including the Parliament House, Prime Minister House, President House, the Supreme Court besides embassies.

"Situation requires patience, wisdom and sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest," military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted.

He said the buildings in the red Zone are symbol of state and being protected by army, so the sanctity of these national symbols must be respected.

Earlier, the rallies led by Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf marched into the Red Zone and set up camp in front of the Parliament House.